Coral Expeditions Releases 'An Expeditionary Voyage to Wallis and Futuna'

#expeditioncruising .

Australia's pioneering expedition cruise line sets course for remote Wallis and Futuna Islands for inaugural exploration   On 16 December 2022, Coral Adventurer will cast off from Cairns on an epic journey of discovery to the remote islands of Wallis and Futuna, located 2,000 nautical miles into the South Pacific. With no fixed itinerary, the 21-night voyage sailing from Cairns to Auckland is a true blue-water expedition for only the most intrepid of explorers.   ‘Our loyal guests look for us to pioneer new expeditions and we have done just that with Wallis and Futuna,’ says Coral Expeditions Commercial Director, Jeff Gillies. ‘Our new fleet enables us to explore places few have heard of – let alone visited. These small islands caught our attention due to their rich and complex history.’   Contested for centuries by the Tongans, English and French, these island outposts are volcanic island groups separated by some 200km of Pacific Ocean. Those who step ashore on these islands follow in the footsteps of ancient Fijian and Samoan traders, pioneering Dutch navigators, later English explorers and French missionaries.   Coral Expeditions’ voyage will showcase layers of cultural influences marked by ancient Polynesian thatch fale houses, the traditional kava drink and imposing Catholic Cathedrals. After exploring Wallis and Futuna, Coral Adventurer will steam further south to Niue – one of the world’s largest coral atolls.     With no fixed itinerary, the Captain and Expedition Team will survey conditions along the way and call on rarely visited islands such as historical Luganville and lush Pentecost Island in Vanuatu. After crossing the International Date Line, guests will conclude their adventure in Auckland.   Voyage Highlights Be one of few to set foot on the remote islands of Wallis and Futuna Learn about the varied cultural influences and traditions of these remote island communities Enjoy the solitude and freedom of a true blue-water voyage in the company of our Expedition Team, Guest Lecturers and like-minded explorers Witness ancient cultural traditions at Pentecost Island Enjoy onboard festivities for a memorable Christmas and New Year at sea Roll back your watch by 23 hours as we cross the International Date Line Step ashore on the remote atoll of Niue, one of the largest coral atolls in the world Disembark in Auckland and bask in the Kiwi summer before flying back home   Voyage Details An Expeditionary Voyage to Wallis and Futuna | 21 Nights | Cairns to Auckland | Departing 16 December 2022 | aboard Coral Adventurer   Read more about the voyage, view live availability and book online HERE.   Coral Expeditions led the return to operations for the cruise industry in Australia in 2020 with the implementation of their SailSAFE health protocols developed in collaboration with Respond Global at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, with open borders and global health protocols in place, you can explore the worlds farthest reaches with Coral Expeditions once more.